Arsenal star Yaya Sanogo can be the next Nicolas Anelka according to Arsene Wenger

A STAR IN THE MAKING: Arsene Wenger believes Yaya Sanogo can be as good as former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka [GETTY]

The Arsenal boss received criticism for picking rookie 21-year-old striker Sanogo - with just nine Premier League minutes under his belt - for the midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich ahead of Olivier Giroud.

Yet Wenger, whose refusal to splash the cash on a new forward in January back-fired in the 2-0 loss at the Emirates, launched a defence of his selection policy and believes the French Under-20 world champion can grow just like Anelka.

At a similar age, former Gunners star Anelka won a league title and FA Cup for the north Londoners before sealing a £22m move to European giants Real Madrid.

Wenger said: “When I started to play Anelka, everybody said: ‘Why are you starting with Anelka, why not buy a striker?’

“We won a championship with him. If we feel they are ready, then they play.

“There’s a potential there. Sanogo is world champion of the Under-20s, if he was an English centre-forward and was world champion of the Under-20s, you would not ask me these questions. It’s as simple as that.

“We look at the quality of the performance of the player, not at the number of minutes he’s played

FAITH: Arsene Wenger is confident Yaya Sanogo will do well for Arsenal [GETTY]

“When I started to play Anelka, everybody said why are you starting with Anelka, why not buy a striker?”

Arsene Wenger

“If you only looked at that, nobody would ever get a chance. And up front, it’s not the experience that decides.

“I have to make my decisions with my conscience and I base it on who can help us win the next game. He did not look out of place in the two games he played.”

Wenger will rest Sanogo for the home clash against Sunderland today with Giroud, left out of Arsenal’s last two games against Liverpool and Bayern after smuggling lingerie model Celia Kay into the team hotel, recalled.

But, despite Giroud’s off-the-field issues, the Gunners chief insists the club’s 14-goal top-scorer will provide the right response on his return to the starting line-up.

Wenger said: “Recently, he’s been a bit less fresh and it’s shown in his game. He had hit a brick wall, but he will bounce back.

“I am not worried for Giroud. His head is in the right place. He’s always mentally focused.

“He’s a great player. He is a great fighter as well. He has been successful until now, during this season he’s played a big part in it.”